Marymount University
Marymount University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Marymount University at a Glance
Marymount University is a private Catholic research university with its main campus in Arlington County, Virginia, United States. It was founded as Marymount Junior College in 1950. Marymount offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. It has approximately 4,400 students enrolled, representing fifty states and seventy countries.
1950
76 years old
$43M
$43 million
4,302
1,869 undergrad · 1,464 grad
162
21 acres
Identity
Is Marymount University Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Marymount University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $67,516 — 26% above average — while paying $29,137/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Marymount University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Marymount University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in VA
Ranked #87 of 132 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #6 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #87 | Marymount University | 32 | $29,137 | $67,516 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Marymount University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in VA.
Best Programs at Marymount University
The highest-earning program at Marymount University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $66,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $29,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Marymount University earns $66,300, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $29,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $20,757 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,137/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,300 | $66,300 | $20,757 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $48,500 | $48,500 | $27,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,900 | $46,900 | $25,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,100 | $39,100 | $21,166 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,900 | $36,900 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $35,000 | $35,000 | $27,000 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $33,100 | $33,100 | $26,875 |
| Public Health | $30,600 | $30,600 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $29,800 | $29,800 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Arlington, VA
- Student Body
- 1,810 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,137
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,516
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000